Wrench



March 9, 1943. F. a SAP? ,313,2

WRENCH Filed Oct. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,9 q

/7 /6 q l /&q

March 9, 1943. F. B. SA PP 2,313,270

WRENCH Filed Oct. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 tented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to wrenches and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, sturdy, inexpensive wrench operable to obtain a powerful grip on pipe and other work with a minimum of manual movement and effort.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wrench embodying a one-piece lever element having a jaw opposing a fixed jaw on the body and formed to constitute a part of a toggle means which moves the shiftable jaw toward and away from the fixed jaw upon relative pivotal movement between the body and the lever element. The wrench of the present invention is characterized by its simplicity comprising only two main elements, namely, the wrench body and the lever element, each of which carries a gripping jaw and each of which may be a simple, one-piece part.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wrench of the character referred to embodying a novel toggle means or jaw actuating means comprising a simple toggle part engaged between the lever element and the jaw adjusting screw on the body. The jaw actuating means in the wrench of the present invention does not require the use of a number of toggle parts or the use of pivot pins, screws, or the like, subject to loosening, detachment and failure.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a wrench of the character referred to which may be readily conditioned or set to obtain a firm, lasting grip on pipe and other work of different sizes or to have a ratchet action for turning pipe, etc. The present invention provides an all-purpose wrench adapted to be locked in the position where it maintains a powerful grip on the work and capable of being easily conditioned to have releasable gripping engagement with pipe and the. like when it is desired to ratchet the wrench to intermittently turn the pipe.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fliiiy understood from the following detailed delcription of typical preferred manners of carrying out the method and typical forms of apparatus of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of wrench of the invention with the parts in the unactuated positions. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the wrench shown in Fig. l with parts of the lever element in elevation. illustrating the wrench in gripping engagement with a piece of work. Fig. 3 is a view similar 55 to Fig. 1 showing another form of the invention. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the wrench shown in Fig. 3 with the certain parts in elevation and illustrating the jaws in gripping engagement with the work and Fig. 5 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3.

The wrench of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may be said to comprise, generally, a body l0 having a stationary jaw A, a lever element ll shiftably fulcrumed in the body l0 and having a jaw B opposing the jaw A and adjustable toggle means l2 for producing movement of the jaw B toward and away from the jaw A upon pivoting or swinging of the lever element II with respect to the body Ill.

The wrench body In may be said to carry the various other parts of the tool and forms one of the main lever and handle elements. The body in is an elongate member whose inner portion forms a stem or shank l3. The shank I3 is preferably round or cylindrical in transverse cross section. A somewhat thickened and broadened portion l4 extends outwardly from the shank l3. The portion [4 may have slightly flared sides or edges and its outer end merges with the wrench head or jaw portion IS. The portion l5 curves laterally and forwardly and carries or presents the jaw A. The jaw A projects inwardly or horizontally at the outer end of the portion l5 and its inner or rearwardly facing side forms the work engaging face IS. The face I6 is preferably substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the shank [3. The portion l5 and the jaw A are preferably of increased width or thickness to increase the strength of the parts and to broaden the jaw face l6. Where the wrench is designed to grip objects such as bolt heads, nuts, pipe, etc., it is preferred to provide a set or pair of angularly related faces at the jaw A. In the case illustrated a rearwardly and laterally pitched work engaging face I! is provided on the inner edge of the portion l5 at the under side of the jaw A. The face I! is intersected or divided by a longitudinal groove I8 provided in the inner edge of the portion I 5. A lateral window or opening I9 is provided in the body Ill. The opening is extends through the head portion l5 from one edge to the other and joins the groove I8. An elongate slot or groove 20 is formed in an edge of the body portion H. The groove 20 is formed in the opposite side of the gody from the groove l8 and faces toward the groove l8. The groove 2.0 joins the opening l9 forming a continuation or extension of the opening. The opposite side walls of the groove l5, opening I 3 and groove 20, preferably occupy common planes and are fiat and parallel. It will be observed that the body Hi, just described, may be a simple, sturdy one-piece member.

The lever element I carries or presents the jaw B and constitutes a handle or lever which may be pivoted and shifted relative to the body ID to bring the jaw B against the work W. In accordance with the invention the element I may be a simple, inexpensive one-piece member. The element includes an elongate operating stem or handle 2| which is adapted to lie adjacent or alongside of the body shank l3. The element H has a broadened portion 22 at the outer end of the handle II. The portion 22 passes through the opening l9 and may have fiat opposite side surfaces to work or bear on the side walls of the opening I9 and on certain parts of the walls of the grooves l8 and 20. The jaw B is provided or formed on the outer end of the broadened portion 22 and is arranged to oppose the jaw A. The jaw B may be laterally broadened to present an extensive work engaging face 23. The parts are formed and related so that the work engaging faces l5 and 23 of the jaws A and B are substantially parallel when the wrench is in operation. It is preferred to tooth or roughen the face 23 and to provide a forwardly and laterally pitched work engaging face 24 at the jaw B.

In accordance with the invention the lever element II has shiftable pivotal engagement with the body I0. A lug is provided on an edge of the portion 22 to form the fulcrum 25 of the element The lug or fulcrum 25 presents a round or convex edge which bears on the bottom wall l8 of the groove Hi. The wall I8 is preferably flat and slightly pitched rearwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the body shank |3. The fulcrum 25 is adapted to freely shift along the wall l8 when the element H is bodily moved during adjustment of the means l2 and when the means I2 is actuated to cause the jaws A and B to grip the work W. The groove I8 is preferably extended outwardly at the jaw A to receive the fulcrum 25 when the wrench is fully closed. The side surfaces of the fulcrum 25 may shiftably bear on the side walls of the groove l8 to assist in stabilizing the element H and the face 24 for engaging the work W may be formed on the fulcrum. It will be observed that the fulcrum of the lever element I is adjacent the work engag- 7 ing jaw B.

The means I2 is operable to forcibly shift the jaw B of the element toward the fixed jaw A upon swinging or pivoting of the handle 2| toward The operating means |2 includes a shiftable or adjustable abutment on the body "I. In the form of the invention illustrated this abutment is in the nature of a threaded stem or screw 25. The screw 25 has threaded engagement in a central longitudinal opening 21 which extends through the body shank I3. The screw 25 is proportioned to project from the opposite ends of the shank 3. The lever element II is formed with an abutment spaced from and substantially opposing the forward end of the screw 25. This abutment may be a shoulder 28 occurringwhere the handle 2| joins the broadened portion 22 and in the structure illustrated the abutment shoulder 23 has a socket 29. The socket 29 may be formed by providing a cylindrical transverse opening in the element II at the shoulder 23.

The means I2 further includes a toggle link 30 engaged between the above mentioned abutments. The link 30 is an elongate member provided at its opposite ends with heads 3| and 32. The head 3| on the outer end of the link 30 may be a flat sided partially cylindrical part which bears and pivots in the socket 29. The mouth of the socket 29 is reduced or constricted to retain the head 3| in the socket 29 and yet allow working or pivoting of the head. The head 32 on the inner end of the link 30 may be smaller than the head 3| and is partially spherical to bear and work in a socket 33 in the end of the rotatable screw 25. The mouth or outer end of the socket 33 is reduced or constricted to retain the head 32 in the socket and yet allow free working and pivoting of the head in the socket. It will be seen that the link 30 forms a connection between the screw 25 and the element whereby the element may be bodily shifted or adjusted relative to the body III by threading of the screw 25. When the handle 2| is extended or in its unactuated position of Fig. 1 the link 30 is inclined or pitched outwardly and forwardly. It will be seen that the fulcrum 25 and the link heads 3| and 32 form angularly related pivot points of triangular toggle means. When the lever handle 2| is swung inwardly toward the body shank 3 the triangular toggle means straightens out, that is, the head 3| moves inwardly so that the element H is forced outwardly turned the jaw A and the work W is clamped or gripped between the jaws A and B.

Means is provided for yieldingly holding the lever element II in its extended inactive position and for returning the element to this position after operation. This means may comprise a leaf spring 34 arranged in the groove 25 to bear against the opposing inner edge of the element portion 22. The inner or rear end of the spring 34 may be fixed to the body l0 as by a rivet 35. A substantial intermediate portion of the spring 34 is bowed outwardly or toward the element II and then curves back toward the bottom wall of the groove 20 to have engagement with said wall at X. The free end portion of the spring 34 is bent or curved laterally to bear against the edge of the lever element portion 22 at Y. With the element H in its extended inactive position the spring 34 engages the element at Y. When the lever element H is in an actuated position the spring 34 is compressed or partially flattened and has engagement with the element at Y and at a point Z on its bowed intermediate portion (see Fig. 2). It will be observed that the spring 34 is entirely housed within the body III to be protected against injury during use of the wrench.

It is preferred to provide a handle 35 for the adjusting screw 25. The handle 35 may be associated with the body shank I3 to form an efi'ective wrench grip as well as a handle for the adjus ing screw. The handle 35 may be an elongate member provided with a longitudinal socket 31 for slidably or freely receiving the body shank l3. The inner or rear end of the handle 35 is closed and rounded. The external surface of the handle 35 may be roughened or provided with knurling 38. The adjusting handle 35 is fixed or secured to the projecting rear end of the screw 25. The screw 25 may be received in a reduced socket 33 in the handle 35 and a transverse pin 40 may be arranged through openings in the handle and the screw to secure the handle to the screw. It will be seen that the handle 36 may be easily manipulated to turn the screw 26 to either advance or retract the lever element Means may be provided for stopping or retaining the element II in the position where it is actuated with the jaws A and B in firm gripping engagement with the work W and where it is free to retract when the workman releases or lessens his grip. The stop means includes a stop finger 3 pivotally mounted in a slot 6 in the end of the lever handle 2|. The finger 9 may be pivoted between a retracted position in the slot 6 and an active projecting position where it extends from the inner side of the handle 2|. When the stop finger 9 is in its extended position it is adapted to engagethe handle 36 to limit the inward movement of the lever handle 2|. The finger 9 serves to stop the inward movement of the lever element II when the element reaches the position where the axes of the heads 3| and 32 lie in the center line L of the work W or before the element reaches this position and thus serves to prevent the toggle means H from throwing over center. The stop finger 9 may be provided with a detent dimple 1 for frictionally bearing in the slot 3 to retain the finger in its inactive position and for engaging with the inner edge of the handle 2| to hold the finger 9 in its extended position. As illustrated in the drawings the stop finger 9 may project slightly beyond the extremity of the lever handle 2| when the finger is in its retracted position so that it may be easily engaged for projection. A saddle shaped lock 4| may straddle the end portion of the handle 36 to be swingablv or pivotally connected with the handle. The above described pin 40 may serve to pivotally secure the opposite end por tions of the lock 4| to the handle. When the lever element l is brought to the active position in adjacent substantially parallel relation to the shank [3 the lock 4| may be swung to engage over the end of the lever handle 2|. A slight rise or lug 42 may be provided on the lever handle 2| to releasably retain the lock 4| in engagement with the handle. The lock 4| may be engaged and disengaged from the lug 42 following a slight movement of the handle 2| toward the handle 36, and may be used to retain the lever element II in when the tool is not in use.

It is believed that the operation of the wrench illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 will be understood from the foregoing detailed description. Preparatory to operating the wrench the handle 36 may be turned to adjust the element relative to the body I and thus move the jaw B toward or away from the jaw A to condition it for engagement with the work. This adjustment of the element adapts the wrench for gripping objects varying considerably in size. When the element is in the unactuated position of Fig. 1 the jaw B slopes rearwardly and laterally with respect to the jaw A to facilitate the easy engagement of the wrench with the work. With the element adjusted as just described, the wrench is engaged with the work and the element II is pivoted by swinging its handle 2| toward the handle 36. In practice the operator or workman may grasp the handles 2| and 36 and merely force them together or toward one another to pivot the element Upon swinging or pivoting of the element with respect to the bodyl0, about the fulcrum 25, the toggle link 3| is swung inwardly and produces a positive longitudinal movement of the element toward the jaw A. This causes the work W to be firmly and posi- Search Room tively gripped by the jaws A and B. The compound pivoting and bodily movement of the element brings the jaw B from its pitched inactive position to its active angle or position. where it is parallel with the jaw A.

The workman may maintain his grasp to hold the jaws A and B in firm positive engagement with the work W or may adjust the wrench so that the axis of the head 3| is thrown over the center line L when the jaws A and B tightly grip the work W. This over-center condition of the toggle means looks or retains the jaws A and B in positive gripping engagement with the work until the lever element is again swung outwardly. It will be observed that with the relationship of the parts shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the pivotal centers of the link heads 3| and 32 lie in the center line L which intersects the work W and the wrench is not locked. The stop finger 9 may stop the element II in this position or before it reaches this position. If it is desired to ratchet the wrench to intermittently turn the work by swinging the wrench back and forth, the stop finger 3 is used and the workmans grasp on the handles 2| and 36 is relaxed to some extent when the wrench is swung in the reverse or retrograde direction. This rela'xing of the workmans grasp allows the element II to swing toward its inactive position so that the jaws A and B may move or ratchet to position for new engagement with the work.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings may be said to comprise, generally, a body 50 having a fixed gripping jaw C, a lever element 5| shiftably fulcrumed in the body 50 and presenting a second jaw D, and adjustable cam means 52 for actuating the jaws C and D into firm gripping engagement with the work W upon pivoting of the lever element 5|.

The wrench body 56 is an elongate member and in accordance with the invention may be integral or of but one piece. The inner or rear portion of the body 50 forms a shank or handle 53, while the outer portion of the body 50 is broadened and thickened to form the wrench head 54. The handle 53 may have fiat sides and suitably rounded edges, as best shown in Fig. 5. The head 54 curves laterally and outwardly at the outer end of the handle 53 and the jaw 54 projects transversely at the outer end part of the head 54. The fixed gripping jaw C presents an active gripping face 55 which is preferably substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the wrench body 50. The head 54 may be provided at its inner edge with a second gripping face 56 angularly disposed to the face 55. A longitudinal groove 51 in the inner side of the head 54 divides the angular gripping face 56. An opening 58 extends through the head 54 from one edge to the other and joins the groove 51. A longitudinal groove 59 is provided in the outer'portion of the handle 53 and the adjacent part of the head 54. The groove 53 joins the opening 58 and opposes and is spaced inwardly from the groove 51. The side walls of the grooves 51 and 59 and the opening 56 are preferably flat and lie in common parallel planes. The bottom walls of the grooves 51 and 53 are preferably fiat and substantially par allel with the longitudinal axis of the body 50.

The lever element 5| is pivotally and shiftably supported in the body 55 and carries or presents the gripping jaw D. The element 5| has an elongate stem or handle 60 and a broadened portion 6| on the outer end of the handle. It is important to note that the lever element 5| may be a simple one-piece member. The broadened portion 6| passes through the opening 58 and has flat parallel opposite side surfaces which may shiftably bear on the side walls of the opening. The handle 60 lies alongside of the body handle 53 when the element 5| is actuated. The jaw D is a laterally protruding broadened part on the outer end of the lever portion 6|. The jaw D may present a toothed active face 62 for opposing the face 55 of the jaw C. A second gripping face 63 pitched with respect to the face 62 may be formed on the lever element 5| at the jaw D. In accordance with the invention the lever element 5| has a fulcrum 64 pivotally and slidably engaged in the body 50. In the preferred construction the fulcrum 64 is a lug projecting from an edge of the lever portion 6| slidably bearing on the bottom wall of the groove 51. The lug or fulcrum 64 is pointed or rounded to easily slide along and pivot in the groove 51. The groove 51 is of sufficient length to allow the jaws A and B to fully close.

The cam means 52 is operable to forcibly or positively shift the element outwardly toward the jaw C when the lever handle 60 is swung inwardly toward the handle 53. The means 52 is preferably adjustable to adapt the wrench for work varying greatly in size. The adjustable actuating means 52 includes an abutment 65 shiftable or adjustable in the body 50. In the preferred construction this abutment 65 is a flat sided enlargement or head on the outer end of an adjusting screw 66. The abutment 65 is housed in the groove 59 and its flat sides shiftably engage the walls of the groove. The abutment 65 is rigidly formed on or secured to the screw 66 as by welding. The screw 66 is shiftably received in a longitudinal opening 61 in the body handle 53. Means is provided for operating the screw 66 to advance and retract the abutment 65. This means comprises a manually engageable nut or wheel 68 threaded on the screw 66, the nut or wheel 68 is tumable in a transverse opening 69 in the body handle 53. The opening 69 is increased in width at one side of the handle 53 to admit the wheel 68 during the assembling of the wrench. The inner and outer walls of the opening 69 preferably have raised bosses l engaged by the ends of the nut or wheel 68. The surface of the wheel 68 is preferably roughened or knurled and may protrude from the opposite sides of the handle 53 for ready manipulation. It will be apparent how rotation of the nut or wheel 68 shifts the screw 66 and abutment 65 longitudinally relative to the body 50.

The means 52 further includes opposing abutment faces or cam faces on the abutment 65 and the lever element and a tumable member engaged between these faces. The outer end of the abutment 65 is in the nature of a pitched or curved cam face H. The face 1| slopes or curves upwardly and inwardly from the exposed outer side of the abutment 65 and its inner portion cur es forwardly, the face 1| having a substantia lyngee curvature. An inwardly and forwardly pitched or curved face 12 is formed on the lever element 5| where the handle 60 joins the broadened portion 6| and this face 12 is spaced from and in opposition to the face 1|. Gear teeth 13 are provided on the major inner portion of the face 1| and on the face I2. A shiftable or rolling gear 14 is engaged between the toothed faces 1| and 12. The teeth of the gear 14 mesh with the teeth 13. The gear H is shiftably received in the groove 59 to be held against lateral displacement thereby. The curved inner part of the cam face 1| may be plain or devoid of teeth to give the gear 14 suitable freedom when in its actuated position.

When the lever element 5| is in its extended inactive position the gear 14 is engaged on the inner or lower part of the facell and the outer part of the face 12. Upon swinging of the lever handle 8| toward the body handle 53 the gear 14 rides upwardly or outwardly on the cam face H and the cam face 12 moves to a position such as shown in Fig. 4. This action results in a forward or outward bodily movement of the element 5| bringing the jaw D in gripping engagement with the work W. The outward actuation of the element H is accompanied by pivoting or swinging of the jaw D from the inclined open position to a position where its face 62 is parallel with the face 55 of the jaw C.

Means is provided for yieldingly holding the lever element 5| in the open position and for returning the element to this position after use. This means comprises a leaf spring 11 grooved or recessed in the inner edge of the lever portion GI and the inner side of the abutment 65 to bear against the bottom wall of the groove 59. The spring TI is shaped or bent to urge the element 5| outwardly and is tied or coupled between the abutment 65 and the element 5|. The outer end of the spring 11 has a lug or tongue 18 engaged in a notch 19 in the lever portion 6| and the inner end of the spring H. has a similar tongue engaged in a notch 8| in the abutment 65. The tongue 18 has limited swinging movement in the notch 19 while the tongue 80 may be firmly received in the notch 8|. The spring 11, in addition to returning the lever element 5| to its open position, ties the element to the abutment 65 to prevent loss and detachment of the lever element. The toothed cam face 12 engaged with the gear 14 assists in holding the lever element 5| against disconnection from the body 50..

Means is provided for stopping the lever c1ement 5| in the actuated position so that the wrench will not remain locked on the work. This means may comprise a stop finger 82 pivotally secured in a slot 83 in the end of the handle 60. When the lever element 5| is in its actuated position with the handle 60 adjacent the handle 53 the projected finger 82 may engage the handle 53 and thus stop the element 5| so that it cannot reach a position where the means 52 holds the jaws C and D locked on the work. When not in use the finger 82 may be swung into the slot 83. A detent dimple 84 may be provided on the finger t81 2 to yieldingly hold the finger 82 in its two posi- It is believed the operation of the wrench of Figs. 3, 4 and 5 will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. Prior to actuating the wrench the nut or wheel 68 may be turned to adjust the jaw D toward or away from the jaw C to condition the jaws for engagement with the work. The spring 11 assisted by the gear 14 transmits movement from the screw actuated abutment 65 to the lever element 5| during the screw threading adjustment of the element. Following the adjustment just described the operator grasps the handles 53 and 60 and draws them together. This results in outward shifting of the lever element 5| by reason of the rolling action of the gear 74 between the toothed cam faces 7| and 12. The positive outward movement of the element 5| forces the jaws C and D into tight gripping engagement with the work W. If desired, the finger 82 may be utilized to stop the element 5| in the position where the jaws grip the work but are not locked on the work. In other cases, the workman may retain the wrench grip by retracting the finger 82 and op erating the element 5| to the locked position. When it is desired to ratchet; the wrench on the work W the workman extends the finger 82 and slightly relaxes his grasp as the wrench is swung backward to permit limited retraction of the jaw D so that the jaws C and D may move to the de sired position for the next gripping action.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art, or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A wrench comprising a body including a handle at one end and an inwardly facing gripping jaw at the other end rigid with the handle, the body having a transverse opening between the handle and jaw and a groove extending from the opening toward the jaw, a lever element extending through the opening having a handle at its inner end and a gripping jaw at its outer end opposing the first named gripping jaw, a fulcrum part on the element shiftably and pivotally bearing in the groove, an inwardly facing abutment Search Room on the inner side of the element, an adjusting screw on the inner side of the body handle, an abutment on the screw opposing the first named abutment, and a toggle link pivotally connected with the abutments operable to bodily shift the element outwardly to move its jaw toward said first named jaw when the handles are swung toward one another.

2. A wrench comprising a body including a handle at one end and an inwardly facing griping jaw at the other end rigid with the handle, the body having a transverse opening between the handle and jaw and a groove extending from the opening toward the jaw, a lever element extending through the opening having a handle at its inner end and a gripping jaw at its outer end opposing the first named gripping jaw, a fulcrum part on the element shiftably and pivotally bearing in the groove, spring means bearing between the body and element urging the handles apart, an inwardly facing abutment on the element, an adjusting screw on the body handle, an abutment on the screw opposing the first named abutment, and a toggle link pivotally connected with the abutment operable to bodily shift the element outwardly to move its jaw toward said first named jaw when the handles are swung toward one another.

FLOYD B. SAPP. 

